Police say a woman was sitting in her light-colored SUV around 7:30am Wednesday in the middle of Garth, facing north, when she got the little boy's attention.
"We live in a sick world and you can never be too careful," concerned mom Gina Bloom said.
Bloom wants to think her girls are safe to walk to and from school, but she simply doesn't allow it.
"And we have I-10 right here and Garth is a main thoroughfare in Baytown so you never know," she said.
Bloom and other parents got a letter from Victoria Walker Elementary school's principal this week about a woman who apparently tried to kidnap a fifth grade boy.
"His older brother walked him to the corner and then turned back around to go catch his school bus - figuring it was a short distance, his younger brother would be OK," Baytown Police Department Detective Luzette Watkins said.
Baytown police is investigating the incident, which the boy recounted for detectives.
"He said she motioned for me then said candy, and he immediately took off," Watkins said.
And a junior high school teacher witnessed.
"She could see an arm coming out of the vehicle motioning, then she could just see this child, in her words, take off, run," Watkins said.
The boy got to school safely, leaving parents relieved but also on guard.
"I walk back and forth with my kids. I do not allow them to walk to school by themselves," concerned mom Lori Holman said. "We're very protective."
The suspect was described only as an African-American woman driving a white or beige PT Cruiser.
Below is the entire letter sent to parents:
The school sent the following note to parents
- The safety and well-being of our Victoria Walker Elementary students is always our top priority. Therefore, I want to make you aware of an incident that reportedly occurred this morning before school at approximately 7:20 a.m.
A student reported that a white car pulled up to him at the entrance to Eastpoint Subdivision. He said that a lady, wearing a red head accessory, offered him a ride, telling him that she had candy in her car and would take him to the donut shop. A district employee confirmed that she saw a small SUV pull up to a young man near the Eastpoint Subdivision. She said the driver rolled down the car window and yelled something at the student, who ran toward the school. The student arrived at school safely.
The incident was reported to school administrators, Goose Creek CISD Security, and the Baytown Police, who are investigating the situation. I hope that you will talk with your children about this important safety issue. Please remind them not to talk to strangers and never to get into a vehicle with anyone unless they have permission from you.
If you have any other questions or concerns, please call the school office at 281.421.1800. Thank you for your support of Victoria Walker Elementary School.
Sincerely,
Renee Meyer
Principal
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